Houston Rockets GM Daryl Morey has apologized to Communist China for daring to tweet, “fight for freedom, stand with Hong Kong.”
1/ I did not intend my tweet to cause any offense to Rockets fans and friends of mine in China. I was merely voicing one thought, based on one interpretation, of one complicated event. I have had a lot of opportunity since that tweet to hear and consider other perspectives.
— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) October 7, 2019
2/ I have always appreciated the significant support our Chinese fans and sponsors have provided and I would hope that those who are upset will know that offending or misunderstanding them was not my intention. My tweets are my own and in no way represent the Rockets or the NBA.
— Daryl Morey (@dmorey) October 7, 2019
Even worse? It appears his job is in jeopardy over it:
All this guys did is tweet in support of protesters in #HongKong, and his employers (the @HoustonRockets) made him beg for forgiveness so as not to impact their place in the valuable Chinese market. https://t.co/XbJ6ShUqTD
— Christian Christensen (@ChrChristensen) October 7, 2019
Morey quickly deleted the tweet, but not before he was called out for it by the team’s owner:
Listen….@dmorey does NOT speak for the @HoustonRockets. Our presence in Tokyo is all about the promotion of the @NBA internationally and we are NOT a political organization. @espn https://t.co/yNyQFtwTTi
— Tilman Fertitta (@TilmanJFertitta) October 5, 2019
Screenshot:
Houston Rockets suspended by Chinese sponsor after GM posted (and quickly deleted) this tweet.
If you’re doing business in China, no disloyal politics allowed.
NBA should stand with @dmorey. But won’t. $$$ pic.twitter.com/TyumK6KDl9
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) October 6, 2019
Bu this apology is just embarrassing:
Can't believe the National Basketball Association is being run by *checks notes* the Chinese Communist Party. https://t.co/JVVdiX35hQ
— sharia board ??♂️?? (@SirajAHashmi) October 7, 2019
Caving to godless, communist murderers of millions. The @NBA is trash and a total hypocrite being woke about how awful America is bit kneeling before China https://t.co/NU0wOASlTV
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) October 7, 2019
People fighting for their freedom, there’s nothing “complicated” about that https://t.co/oJvIyYsooL
— Miles Surrey (@HKSurrey) October 7, 2019
“I’m sorry to find that political freedom is not acceptable in the 2nd largest economy in the world” https://t.co/xQIbu9B6GQ
— Andrew Rose Gregory (@arosegregory) October 7, 2019
Where are all the woke NBA players? They’re not standing up for the Hong Kong residents getting beaten by police?
This is a hostage video. What an embarrassment for the @NBA. https://t.co/wWDD5y8ZMO
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) October 7, 2019
And this NBA statement is garbage:
This whole situation is gross. The NBA made a big deal about supporting players' freedom of speech. Apparently that ends when money gets involved.
And it's not like @dmorey said something all that provocative. Supporting democracy seems pretty safe. https://t.co/Pa0O4eavVH
— Stephen Stirling (@SStirling) October 7, 2019
Update: Here’s how it is playing in China:
Chinese Basketball Association, Rockets business sponsors/partners on Sun said to suspend cooperation with NBA team @HoustonRockets after its general manager Daryl Morey was seen voicing support for #HongKong rioters pic.twitter.com/O531rrAoK5
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) October 7, 2019
And now for the victory lap:
#UPDATE: “We recognize that the views expressed by Daryl Morey have deeply offended many of our friends and fans in China, which is regrettable,” said an @NBA statement released on Monday pic.twitter.com/XZAWQ0THkJ
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) October 7, 2019
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Editor’s note: This post has been updated.
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